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Biomedical subjects

R K Sikes

Publications and source records attributed to R K Sikes.

At least 55 records · Page 3Linked to original sources
PubMed1983

Gnat sore eyes: seasonal, acute conjunctivitis in a southern state.

In late summer 1981, a widespread outbreak of acute bacterial conjunctivitis occurred in southeast Georgia, affecting primarily grade-school children. This outbreak was similar to previously described seasonal conjunctivitis in the South. As suggested in previous studies, the eye gnat, Hippelates pusio, may serve as a mechanical vehicle in the transmission of the suspected causative agent, a possible Haemophilus species. The 1981 Georgia outbreak illustrates that "gnat sore eyes" is not obsolete and apparently can occur unpredictably during warm months in the southern states. Physicians and other health-care workers should be aware of the unique clinical and epidemiologic features of acute seasonal conjunctivitis.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

An epidemiologic study of the benefits and risks of running.

To better estimate rates of certain benefits and risks of recreational running, we sent questionnaires to 1,250 randomly selected male and 1,250 female registrants for a 10-km road race. The response rate was 55% for men and 58% for women. Telephone interviews of a randomly selected group of nonrespondents indicated that the only significant differences between respondents and nonrespondents were that (1) respondents were older than nonrespondents, (2) more male nonrespondents had stopped running during the year after the race, and (3) more male nonrespondents had been hit by thrown objects. One year after the race, 89% of male and 79% of female respondents were still running regularly. Eighty-one percent of men and 75% of women who smoked cigarettes when they began running had stopped smoking after beginning recreational running. Giving up smoking was significantly more common for current runners than for "retired" runners. Weight loss was commonly associated with running and was greater in those persons who were overweight when they began running. More than a third of respondents had a musculoskeletal injury attributed to running in the year after the race and about one seventh of all respondents sought medical consultation for their injury. The risk of injury increased with increasing weekly mileage. This study uses epidemiologic methods to quantify some of the benefits and risks of running.

Accidents↗
PubMed1982

Toxoplasmosis.

Explore the source record for details and available documents.

Animals↗
PubMed1982

Impact of influenza A in a nursing home.

Outbreaks of influenza A in the institutionalized elderly have been reported only rarely. Such an outbreak occurred in a nursing home in the period Dec 12, 1980, through Jan 21, 1981. Thirty (25%) of the 120 residents had onset of influenza-like illness during the outbreak. Influenza A/Bangkok/79-like (H3N2) virus was isolated from throat swab specimens from five of eight acutely ill patients. Thirteen persons were hospitalized; nine persons died (case-fatality ratio, 30%). This outbreak documents that mortality associated with an influenza outbreak can be substantial in a closed population of the elderly. Because nursing home residents are an easily accessible high-risk population, control and prevention of influenza should be a high priority in nursing homes.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1982

Tularemia: review of eight cases of tick-borne infection and the epidemiology of the disease in Georgia.

In the period 1960 to 1979, 177 cases of tularemia occurred in residents of Georgia. A tick bite was the implicated source of exposure in eight cases (4.5%), whereas 91 cases (51.4%) were associated with direct contact with infected rabbits. In Georgia and other southeastern states, the epidemiology of human tularemia infection primarily involves rabbits. However, a diagnosis of tularemia should still be considered in this region in a febrile patient with or without a primary lesion or reported exposure to rabbits. A history of having been bitten by a tick may be the major clue in determining the diagnosis. A primary ulcerative lesion on the legs or in concealed body areas such as the axillary or intergluteal regions, is commonly the presenting sign in the patient with tick-borne tularemia.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1980

Postexposure trial of a human diploid cell strain rabies vaccine.

A human diploid cell strain vaccine (HDCV) was evaluated in 90 persons treated after exposure to rabies, 21 of whom were bitten by proven rabid animals. Intramuscular doses of HDCV were given on days 0, 3, 7, 14, and 28, and human rabies immune globulin (HRIG) was given on day 0. Antibody to rabies virus was tested for by the rapid fluorescent focus inhibition test; adverse reactions were assessed from physician's forms. All 87 persons tested developed titers of greater than or equal to 0.5 international units (IU)/ml, with a maximum geometric mean titer of 15.0 IU/ml on day 42. One year after vaccination, all 33 persons tested had antibody to rabies virus. After one or more doses of vaccine, mild local or systemic reactions were reported in 19.0% and 21.4% of persons, respectively. No serious reactions occurred. The results show that this HDCV (plus HRIG) was safe and effective in eliciting antibody in postexposure prophylaxis of rabies. When it becomes available, it is recommended over the present treatment regimen.

Adolescent↗
PubMed1979

Epidemic toxoplasmosis associated with infected cats.

In October, 1977, an outbreak of toxoplasmosis occurred in patrons of a riding stable in Atlanta, Georgia; 37 became ill with toxoplasmosis or had serologic evidence by indirect fluorescent-antibody test of acute infection with Toxoplasma gondii (titer greater than or equal to 1:4096 or a positive fluorescent-antibody test for toxoplasma antibodies). Forty-nine additional patrons did not become ill. Two of the three adult cats from the stable were seropositive for toxoplasma, which was also recovered from the tissues of two kittens and four mice trapped near the stable. Patrons who spent most of their time at the end of the stable where a cat had defecated had the highest incidence of infection. Patrons who attended the stable daily had a higher attack rate than those who attended less frequently. No common meals were consumed, and dietary histroy eliminated meat as the source of infection. The data suggest that toxoplasma oocysts were the source of the infection.

Acute Disease↗
PubMed1979

Rabies in translocated raccoons.

Two raccoons imported from Florida by a North Carolina hunting club were diagnosed as having rabies by fluorescent antibody testing of brain tissue. Although dead on arrival in North Carolina, they could have infected other raccoons in the same shipment which had already been released into the wild. Raccoon rabies has become increasingly important in recent years, but this is the first documented report of rabies presence in hunter-purchased interstate shipments.

Animals↗